Fossils on the Moon by Charlie
With the list of unexplored places on Earth growing smaller and smaller every day, the odds of us finding new evidence pointing to our planet’s origins decreases. Surprisingly we could look to the stars to learn more. The Moon is lifeless, and probably always will be. However, this very deadness makes it extremely important in our search for the origin of Earth. It is possible that the Moon’s surface holds an unprecedented fossil record of life on Earth or from our surrounding planets. The oldest evidence of life on Earth dates back to 3.5 billion years ago. There is a strong possibility that we could find evidence of life on the Moon coming from Earth dating back much further than this. Because the Moon has no atmosphere and no plate tectonics, anything that lands there stays in pristine condition. The last time we visited the Moon was 1972. Now we are all focused on our next major objective, Mars, but are we skipping over a key to our past? We have only visited a small fraction of the Moon, and we have already dismissed it as lifeless and dead. There is so much potential for what we could find if we go back.
Part A: Which statement best summarizes the central idea of the text?
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5 points
A The Moon does not have any life, but that does not make it less important.
B The Moon should not be forgotten.
C The Moon may be helpful in learning about Earth’s past.
D The Moon should be our focus and not Mars.
C The Moon may be helpful in learning about Earth’s past.
Part B: Which detail from the text best supports your answer in part A?
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5 points
A With the list of unexplored places on Earth growing smaller and smaller every day
B Moon is lifeless, and probably always will be.
C It is possible that the Moon’s surface holds an unprecedented fossil record of life on Earth
C It is possible that the Moon’s surface holds an unprecedented fossil record of life on Earth.
On a cold day, the New York Infantry Regiment awaits battle beside a river. Eighteen-year-old Private Henry Fleming, remembering his romantic reasons for enlisting as well as his mother's resulting protests, wonders whether he will remain brave in the face of fear or turn and run. He is comforted by one of his friends from home, Jim, who admits that he would run from battle if his fellow soldiers also fled. During the regiment's first battle, Confederate soldiers charge but are repelled. The enemy quickly regroups and attacks again, this time forcing some of the unprepared Union soldiers to flee. Fearing the battle is a lost cause, Henry deserts his regiment. It is not until after he reaches the rear of the army that he overhears a general announcing the Union's victory. Ashamed, Henry escapes into a nearby forest and stumbles upon a group of injured men returning from battle. One member of the group, asks Henry where he is wounded, but the youth dodges the question. Among the group is Jim, who has been shot in the side and is suffering delirium from blood loss. Jim eventually dies of his injury, defiantly resisting aid from his friend, and an enraged and helpless Henry runs from the wounded soldiers. He next comes upon a retreating column that is in disarray. In the panic, a man hits Henry on the head with his rifle, wounding him. Exhausted, hungry, thirsty, and now wounded, Henry decides to return to his regiment regardless of his shame. When he arrives at camp, the other soldiers believe his injury resulted from a grazing bullet during battle.
Which sentence best summarizes a central idea of the text?
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5 points
A Henry’s choices during the war teach him a lot about himself.
B Henry turns out to not be as brave as he thought.
C Henry is unable to save his friend and runs away.
D Henry learns the hard way that war is difficult.
A Henry’s choices during the war teach him a lot about himself.
Summarize what happens before Henry decides to return to his regiment.
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5